Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Works – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 November 1947.
Hon. Lancelot Joynson-Hicks
, Chichester
12:00,
24 November 1947
asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that church authorities are unable to obtain renewals of worn out parts of the heating systems of churches; and if he will authorise a grant of priority therefor as a matter of urgency.
Mr Charles Key
, Poplar Bow and Bromley
I am aware that supplies of certain types of heating equipment are at present inadequate to enable demands to be met promptly. Orders are dealt with in rotation, and I think that is the fairest way of dealing with them.
Hon. Lancelot Joynson-Hicks
, Chichester
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inability of churches to renew their heating systems is creating great hardship and affecting attendances? Will he do something to enable manufacturers who have heating systems available to supply them for this purpose, instead of exporting them all?
Mr Charles Key
, Poplar Bow and Bromley
So far as they are available we shall do all we can to deal with them in rotation.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
